Rotary trap chamber with means for varying the volume thereof



May 1, 1951 H. WNLACHMILLER 2,550,827

ROTARY TRAP CHAMBER WITH MEANS FOR VARYING THE VOLUME THEREOF Filed Nov. 12, 1948 ,2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. .Z. 7 P76. 2.

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May 1, 1951 H. w. LACHMILLER ROTARY TRAP CHAMBER WITH MEANS FOR VARYING THE VOLUME THEREOF 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 12, 1948 INVEN-TOR. HEN/9) 14/. LAC/IM/LlEQ,

ATTORNEYS,

Patented May 1, 1951 ROTARY TRAP CHAMBER WITH MEANS FOR VARYING THE VOLUME THEREOF Henry W. Lachmiller, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Lyle S. 'Corcoran, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application November 12, 1948, Serial No. 59,513

This invention relates to measuring devices and particularly to devices for making accurate volumetric measurements of finely comminuted solids,

such as powder and the like.

A main object of the'invention is to provide a novel and improved powder measuring device which enables accurately metered quantities of powder or the like to be measured off, said device being very simple in construction, easy to operate and provided with means for accurately adju'sting the volume of material to be measured off.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved powder measuring machine which is inexpensive to fabricate, ruggedin construction, and which enables any desired volume of powder, within a substantial range to be very accurately dispensed, only a very simple operation being required to change the volumetric setting of the machine. 7

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a powder measuring machine constructed in accordance with the present invention, shown inposition to measure off a charge of powder.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View similar to Figure 2 but showing the machine in a charge-releasing position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing a modified form of powder measuring machine according to this invention.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but partly in vertical cross-section.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1 to 3, II designates a cylindrical hopper threaded at its lower end into the top of a downwardly converging funnel member I2. Funnel member I2 merges into an enlarged annular'housing portion I3, which in turn merges into a bottom spout member I4. Designated at I5 is a valve member rotatably received in housing portion I3 for rotation around the horizontal axis of said housing portion. At one marginal portion thereof, valve member I5 is formed with a periphf eral groove I6 extending half way around the valve member. Threaded through the wall of housing portion I3 adjacent said groove is a screw I! having an end portion I8 received in said 1' Claim. (01. 222-308) groove, whereby valve member I5 is limitedto one half revolution clockwise from the position shown in Figure 1. Valve member I5 is formed at its opposite margin with an annular seat I9 which receives a retaining ring 20 threaded into the housing portion I3 at said seat, whereby said valve member is restrained against outward axial movement. A set screw 2I is threaded through the wall of housing portion I3 and lockingly engages the retaining ring 20.

Valve portion I5 is formed with an inclined cylindrical passage 22 in the end of which is secured the flanged end 23 of a sleeve member 24 which extends outwardly from passage 22 coaxially therewith. Designated at 25 is a rod member extending axially through sleeve member 24 and having an enlarged threaded extension 26 threadedly engaging the inner wall of the. flange portion 23 of the sleeve member. Extension 26 F carries at its end a concave piston element 21,

the concavity of said element being shown at 28. Piston element 21 has a close rotating fit within the cylindrical passage 22.

Secured to the outer end of rod member 25 is a sleeve-like handle member 29 which surrounds the sleeve member 24 as shown in Figure 2, and is axially rotatable with respect thereto.

Secured to the central portion of the end surface of valve member I5 opposite handle member 29 is an inclined arm 30 provided at its end with a horizontal handle 3I.

In the position of valve member I5 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the inner end of passage 22 faces upwardly in funnel portion I2 and receives powder therefrom. The amount of powder received therein is determined by the setting of the piston element 27. This setting is obtained by adjusting the handle 29 to a desired position of rotation. The outer surface of sleeve member 24 may be calibrated in volumetric units, so that handle 29 may be set to an axially adjusted position relative to sleeve member 24 corresponding to a desired volume of powder to be admitted in passage 22.

To discharge the measured volume of powder, valve member I5 is rotated by means of handle 3| to the inverted position of Figure 3. Valve member I5 has a close rotative fit in annular housing I3, so that the charge of powder is carried along with the valve member until the end of passage 22 is exposed downwardly to the spout member I4. The powder is therefore released and passes downwardly through the spout member to the receptacle to which it is to be transferred.

The measuring operation may be repeated by returning the valve member l to the position of Figures 1 and 2. The volume of the charge being measured may be readily changed by readjusting the handle 29.

The separate handle 3i enables the valve member IE to be rotated without disturbing the adjustment of metering? handle 29.

In the embodiment of Figures 4 to 6, the valve" member, designated at I5 has an extension 32 adjacent the handle 29, to which is secured the vertical crank bar 33. Crank bar: 33. be

provided with a suitable handle similar-to: hand-1e 3|. The operation of the embodiment of Figures 4 to 6 is the same as previouslydescribed... How ever, the actuating handle is on the same side of the machine as the micronne'terhandle 23 instead of being located opposite thereto as in Figures 1 to 3. Another difference in structure is that in the embodiment of Figures 4 to 6, the piston element, shown at 21', has a conical face: 34, instead of being concave as: in the embodii merit 0t Figures 1- to 3.

While certain specific embodiments-o1: a:- powder measuring device have been: disclosed; in: the foregoing description,- it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit; of the invention may occur tothose skilled in the: art; Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention: except as-defi riedby the: scopeof the appended claim,

What: is claimed is:

A device for: measuring successive predetermined quantities or powder or the l-ikaeomprising in combination: a hopper and; a delivery spout arrangedi n general verticalv alignmentand separatedby atransversely directed tubular bear ing section which bearing section consistsof a hollow, substantially cylindrical shell disposedwith its axis in a. horizontal direction, and ha'v ing. an. opening in its upper: perip-hery com.- municating with the hopper discharge opening and a second opening in its lower periphery communicating with said delivery spout; a tubular valve member substantially cylindrical in shape and mounted within said hollow cylindrical shell, coaxially therewith, for rotation about said horizontal axis, said valve member having an inclined, substantially vertically disposed passage, the inner end of said. passage being open, the outer end of said passage having a piston reciprocably mounted therein, said passage being angularly so disposed that said inner end is adaptedv alternately'to register with said hopper and said spout, t he external surface of said valve member being substantially of the same conformation ancfi dimensions as the inner surface of said hollow shell whereby, when the valve is rotated} said: surface forms a sliding closure for said inner end of said passage; a rod connected to said piston, disposed in threaded engagement with the valve and extending outward from the bearing section; and a sleeve carried by the" valve so as to be al'i'g'na'blc with the projecting portion of the rod and thus toin dicate the variable volume within the open portion of said valve which is determined by the particular location of the piston therein.

HENRY W. REFERENCES CITED The following" references are of record. the

me of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 22 1,1 04 Ryitard Oct. 28, 1879' 71 -55259 Gl i sson Dec. 9 1902 845,572 Peek l Feb; 26, I907 Loews-9 Gillespie Feb. is; 1913 1,165,508 Irishl Dec. 28, I915 1,767,928 Jellison June 24 r930 

